What is illiquidity, and can it make or break your trades?

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min read

Red and blue liquid streams flowing between two glass tubes, symbolising exchange, balance, or transfer on a dark background.

"The market can stay irrational longer than you can stay solvent." – John Maynard Keynes

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A cracked surface representing a lack of moisture, serving as a metaphor for illiquidity in trading

Ever tried selling something nobody wants to buy? Maybe a rare collectible or an old gadget? That’s illiquidity in action. In trading, liquidity is all about how quickly and easily you can buy or sell an asset without affecting its price. Some assets trade like hotcakes, while others can leave you waiting and hoping for a buyer.

So, can illiquidity mess up your trades? Absolutely. Let’s dive into how you can spot it and avoid its pitfalls.
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What are illiquid assets? Spot them before you trade

Not all assets are created equal. Here’s how to identify potential liquidity traps before you invest:
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Liquidity Factor	Liquid Assets (Easy to Buy/Sell)	Illiquid Assets (Hard to Buy/Sell)
Trading Volume	High - frequently traded	Low - not many trades happen daily
Bid-Ask Spread	Narrow - small difference between buy/sell price	Wide - larger price gap, making trades more costly
Time to Sell	Fast - transactions happen quickly	Slow - may take time to find a buyer

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Example: Apple’s stocks are highly liquid – you can buy or sell them anytime. But try selling a rare antique or a small company’s stock, and you might struggle to find a buyer at the price you want.
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Infographic showing examples of liquid and illiquid assets.‍

The cost of illiquidity: What’s the catch?

Illiquidity isn’t just an inconvenience; it can seriously impact your trading outcomes:

Bigger Losses on Sales – If you’re in a hurry to sell, you might have to accept a steep discount just to offload your asset.
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Missed Opportunities – Your capital gets stuck in assets you can’t sell quickly, meaning you might miss out on better trading opportunities.
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Price Volatility – Illiquid assets can have big price swings since even small trades can move the market significantly.

Liquidity trading hacks: Strategies for smart traders

Want to avoid illiquidity issues? Here are some pro tips to keep your trades flowing smoothly:

Strategy	How It Helps
Diversify	Spread your investments across liquid and illiquid assets for better flexibility.
Plan Your Exit	If you need quick access to cash, avoid assets that take too long to sell.
Use Limit Orders	Set the exact price you want to buy or sell at to avoid bad deals caused by illiquidity.

Liquidity trading with Deriv

Illiquidity is part of the trading game, but it doesn’t have to slow you down. With the right strategies, you can manage liquidity risks and stay in control of your trades.

On Deriv, you can explore a mix of liquid and illiquid assets, from forex and major stock indices to more niche options.

Start trading smart today - Open a free Deriv demo account and test your strategies risk-free!